plate no. 7366

Chosen Site

Paul Klee, 1940

oilSurrealismcityscapecityscapebuildingsmoonskygeometric shapesabstract

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice color blocking, geometric abstraction, and creating a sense of depth through color and value variations. It also encourages experimentation with simplified forms and non-realistic representation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the cityscape, horizon line, and the moon's position.
step 02
Block in the background sky with a base layer of dark green, gradually blending in the red at the top.
step 03
Paint the brown foreground, varying the shades to create depth.
step 04
Start filling in the geometric shapes of the buildings with their respective colors, leaving space for the dark outlines.
step 05
Carefully outline each shape with a thin brush and dark brown or black paint.
step 06
Create the moon by painting a yellow circle and then adding the small squares with different shades of yellow, orange, and purple.
step 07
Add details and adjust colors as needed to match the original painting.
step 08
Let it dry and add a varnish if desired.

color palette

primary · dark green · red · brown · yellow

secondary · orange · purple · white · gray

The dark green is likely a mix of blue and yellow with a touch of brown. The browns are achieved with burnt umber and sienna, lightened with white. The moon's colors are variations of yellow with orange and purple accents.

techniques